Jackson takes diplomatic approach

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly

Friday

Oct 28, 2011 at 12:01 AMOct 28, 2011 at 5:00 AM

PHILADELPHIA — DeSean Jackson was unwilling to go where Asante Samuel ventured the day before.

One day after Samuel, apparently displeased that the Eagles were trying to trade the veteran cornerback prior to last week’s deadline, suggested there might be a power struggle between Andy Reid and team president Joe Banner/general manager Howie Roseman and that Banner/Roseman are involved in “fantasy football,” Jackson played nice with the media.

“Asante, unfortunately, he’s had some issues with being on the trading block,” Jackson told reporters after Thursday’s morning practice. “For a man, a human being to feel a certain way, I can kind of understand.

“As far as I feel about it, I can’t really speak. He talked to us about (Samuel’s comments). I think everybody understands it. I think the best thing possible is to keep everything in-house.”

The speedy Jackson is making $600,000 in the final year of his rookie contract and wants a long-term contract. He showed his displeasure by holding out for the first 11 days of training camp, but still doesn’t have a new deal.

The bye week that just passed would’ve seemed to be a logical in-season time for the Eagles and Jackson to work out the details.

The Eagles could put the franchise tag on Jackson next spring to keep him from becoming an unrestricted free agent. That would result in a big-money contract (the tag for a receiver meant $9.52 million in 2010), but only for one year.

Jackson and emerging third-year running back LeSean McCoy, who is in line for an extension of his own, are both represented by Drew Rosenhaus.

Jackson has 24 catches for 456 yards (19.0 average) in six games this season, including 14-for-303 (21.7 average) in the last three games. Of his 28 career touchdowns, 20 have been for 30-plus yards.

Cole can’t wait

Defensive end Trent Cole, who practiced again Thursday, is expected to start Sunday night against the Cowboys after missing the last two games with a calf injury he suffered in the home loss to the 49ers.

“I’m going to be there for my team,” said Cole, who registered three sacks in the first four games. “I say, ‘I might be a little banged up, but I’ve still got the heart of a lion — and I’m coming this Sunday.’

“If I can only bring it for one half, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to make sure I have an impact on this team.”

Cole’s return would allow an injury-plagued defense to nearly be at full strength.

“We’ve got some guys back that we didn’t have,” Cole said. “It’s just going to add to the defense. It’s going to help in the fourth quarter because we can get that rotation going again.”

Fellow defensive end Jason Babin had a league-high seven sacks in the first four games with Cole on the field. Babin went sack-less in the two games Cole missed.

Graham getting close

Second-year defensive end Brandon Graham is eligible to come off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list against the Cowboys.

Graham, the 13th overall pick in the 2010 draft, practiced Wednesday and Thursday, but said he doesn’t know if he’s on course to be activated. If not, he’ll “be ready, for sure” to face the Bears a week from Monday night.

The Eagles have three weeks to add Graham to the roster or they must shut him down for the rest of the season.

No ordinary game

Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg on hosting the Cowboys: “Any time you play the Dallas Cowboys, it has that (playoff) feel. It’s the Dallas Cowboys coming in on Sunday night in South Philly — where would you rather be?”

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